During the 10th month of 2003, the first annual Rockit Festival debuted, marking the first time anything of its kind has taken place in Hong Kong. What is Rockit? Rockit is, for two days, the center of Hong Kong’s alternative entertainment, food, and of course, as the name might suggest, hard hitting Rock ‘n’ Roll.

Rockit has provided the first large-scale outlet for several international groups to visit and for Hong Kong’s own thriving rock scene to enjoy their own home-show. Organized by the Matrix Entertainment Group, the set up was said to be “outstanding”. The size and quality of the production was something Hong Kong had not seen in the past. Local rapper/rocker Khawar Aziz (better known as Noc Joe) commented: “It gives Hong Kong’s music scene a boost in terms of being able to say that yes, Hong Kong can perform on a professional and international level.”

The organizers pulled in several big names like Japan’s Electric Eel Shock and Australia’s Regurgitator. “I think all festivals are great thing - they let people see many bands they wouldn’t normally see.” Electric Eel Shock’s frontman, Aki, was right. Rockit did spend big bucks on flying in acts from all over the world… but they failed to present a single Chinese band, and therefore lost a large part of the local audience. Expensive foreign bands combined with a lower-than-expected turnout resulted in quite the disappointing economic situation.

A year later, the hugely hyped follow up to Rockit is being planned for October 23rd – 24th at the huge, open air Victoria Park, with organizers out to improve the good and better the not-so-good. Their first move shows courage as they called on the festival’s first bilingual group, King Ly Chee. “I asked them if it was going to be the same sort of lineup. Is it going to be completely foreign and expat? Are you going to have any local bands play? If you don’t have any local bands play, if you just have us on it, it’s going to be the same thing as last year.” King Ly Chee have their reservations, but are still eager to take part. “Get the local kids involved first. You save money that way. You don’t have to fly us anywhere. There are big name artists in Hong Kong that could bring in a lot people.”
So far, King Ly Chee is still the only Chinese-speaking band booked, and the list of foreign bands is long. Aqualung (whose songs are featured on the hit T.V show The O.C), Cooper Temple Clause, Dive Dive, and returning group, Regurgitator, are just a few of the names, but King Ly Chee’s Riz Farooqi remains optimistic. “I think their focus this year is getting more local bands, and that’s why I have so much hope for this year. They have the right ideas, I just hope they execute it right.”

However, Rockit is not only about Rock. There are several DJs coming down to this year’s show including MC Tali, DJ Kien Lieu, local DJ Tommy and several others. “Electric Eel Shock, DJ Marky, MC Stamina, and all the other bands. They are all amazing groups… but I didn’t hear much hip-hop at that show. I don’t know if any rappers came down. Yes, there is a strong rock band scene, but there is also a rap scene that exists. The show could be designed with a wider perspective. It would get a larger audience and help more local musicians at the same time.” Noc Joe says, regretfully.

However he is quick to add: “I think if you organize a show like Rockit, and you have famous bands come in, and then you merge it with good local bands…” Riz Farooqi finishes his thought. “…that’s when the whole thing gels. That’s when the whole thing should come together.”

Rockit Festival 2004 will be held on October 23rd and 24th at the Victoria Park in Causeway Bay. For more information, log on to http://www.rockit-hk.com.

Further information can be found at the following links:
www.hkclubbing.com
www.kinglychee.com
www.electriceelshock.com
www.matrix-eg.com
www.matrix-radio.com
www.lczine.com

Article by: Indrayudh Shome